Cristala is a Los Angeles based graphic designer and collage artist. She took an atypical path to a design career, arriving by way of the tennis court, where she spent most of her early years training with aspirations of becoming a professional tennis player. She played competitively at the University of Southern California, where she was able to explore new creative outlets. After graduating, a passion for music led her into the music industry, where she would spend several years.

Her intuitive problem solving ability and creative determination eventually led her to pursue a new career in graphic design, where she continuously works to leave her mark on every project she’s a part of. At Seed, she works with our creative director to translate the hidden world of bacteria through digital and print materials.

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In conversation with Cristala:

Share your life story in six words:
Former tennis player turned graphic designer.

When was your first brush with science?
Learning about animals and insects in Elementary School. Little did I know how many other living species were out there…and in me!

What’s your current obsession? In other words, what wakes you up every morning?
I am trying to be more conscious about what I want and where I find meaning in life. That work has been waking me up in the morning. Just being excited about life and where it will take me.

Why do you think bacteria are important?
They are living just like us and they have been around so much longer than we have. If we keep learning from them we may find ways to live longer healthier lives.

How do you define science?
In broad terms if is the form of learning how everything works. Science is pursuing for your curiosity, finding answers, and realizing new questions you didn’t even know you had.

How do you define health?
Making conscious decisions to feel your best, whether it’s through diet, exercise, meditation, or any other form of self care.

What are you currently reading / listening to / watching?
I recently started watching Rupaul’s Drag Race (not microbiome-related—but it’s so fun).

Favorite microbiome-nurturing food?
Grilled artichokes.

Scientist, dead or alive, you’d like to have lunch with?
Carl Sagan—for sure.

Microbiome perturbation you’re trying to give up:
Sugar.

Favorite science joke or best mindgasm fact?
When you look up the stars you are looking into the past because the light takes so long to reach us.

Most mindgasmic thing you’ve learned since being involved with Seed?
We get our microbiome from our mamas!

The song you get sh*t done to:
Dancing on my own, Robyn.

One fact most people don’t know about you:
I wanted to be a professional tennis player when I was younger.

Social?
@cristalabella on Twitter
@cristalabella on Instagram
@cristala-andrews-bb581830 on LinkedIn